Arroyo Overspent Travel Budget
If you’re curious how much the former president Gloria Arroyo overspent her travel budget… well, the number is 3. She splurged big time because she spent thrice of travel fund in her last year as a president.
ormer president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has millions of unliquidated travel expenses and even spent thrice the approved budget allocation in her last year in office, a Senator said.
Commission on Audit reports that the then Office of the President, whose 2009 allocation for travel expenses was at P244.6 million, has an “actual disbursement” for traveling of 940.6 million. 
P848.1 million was spent for foreign trips while at least P92.5 million was used for local travels.
Not only that, Commission on Audit said that P594 million has remained unliquidated as of year end, including the unliquidated travel expenses… Grrr!!!
Well, this doesn’t come as a surprise anymore because her 2009 splurge-y dinner at Le Cirque Restaurant in New York is still vivid to me = $20,000.
Googling will yield Winni Monsod’s blog entry last August 2009, wherein she claimed that Arroyo has left the country 72 times since she assumed the presidency in 2001.
iPhone 5 Release Next Month?
According to a technology blog AllThingsD, Apple plans to unveil their next generation iPhone model, whether it be iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S, on October 4. However, the blog was quick to caution that Apple might still change their plan anytime.
Apple’s new chief executive Tim Cook will definitely be the one to preside the launch of the new iPhone if ever the plans push through. Jobs has presided over Apple’s previous product launches in the past and AllThingsD said that “the pressure will be on Cook to turn in a good performance.”
Hmmm…excited much? Actually, I’m kinda contemplating whether i should get a new iPhone or wait until the 6th gen… Especially because it’s so hard to transfer data from one phone to another. 
You Need a Budget
It’s been a while now since we started using You Need a Budget (YNAB)… If I remember correctly, we bought this amazing software last May 2009. Since then budgeting has never been easier! Here’s why:
- It has a super cool user interface that’s robust, yet still easy to use –> Think Apple UI
YNAB
- I have always been confused with debit and credit, good thing, this app uses IN and OUT instead
- It’s more than an application… it encourages you to make saving a habit through goal setting and living by its 4 principles:
Give Every Dollar a Job
Each month you assign your Available dollars to spending/savings categories. This process takes 20 minutes and revolutionizes the way you think about your money.
Result: Dollars are told what to do. Your awareness will increasetremendously and you’ll find contentment as your spending aligns itself with your core values. Communication between spouses is restored.
Save for a Rainy Day
You’ll anticipate larger, less-frequent expenses and will be ready for them. Insurance premium due in six months for $600? Save $100 each month and watch the Car Insurance balance grow.
Result: Eliminate the crazy ups and downs in your life. Gain atrue picture of your discretionary income. Enjoy opening the mail again (the money will be there waiting to pay that bill).
Roll with the Punches
The key is to keep moving even when you fail (you will). YNAB will make small adjustments when you overspend, ensuring that you fix those mistakes before you go to the next month.
Result: It keeps you on your budgeting feet, so when you fail, you don’t quit. You start each month with a clean slate–a hugepsychological boost.
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
We want you to work toward living on last month’s income. Both the software and methodology will help you do just that.
Result: You’ll find breathing room. You’ll stop wasting time by timing paychecks with bills, and if you’re on a variable income, your budgeting “problem” will be eliminated.
Budgeting
- It is super lightweight and multi-platform, it even has an iPhone and now an Android application
- Syncing is very easy, it highlights the updates or conflicts between devices, and allows you to easily check for it and approve as necessary
- Beat this — It has an awesome website, awesome community, awesome crew, awesome tutorials
- It focuses more on changing lives rather than scoring money from its users because it focuses on YOU learning by giving free tutorials and coaching classes, it focuses on YOU getting the latest update for free for life, it focuses on YOU being able to access your application from all of your devices
If you’re still in doubt, read what others think about YNAB:
- http://financialedge.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0611/The-Best-Budgeting-Software-For-2011.aspx
- http://financialsoft.about.com/od/budgetingsoftware/gr/You-Need-A-Budget-Review.htm
- http://www.onemoneydesign.com/ynab-3-review-you-need-a-budget/
- http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/you-need-a-budget-ynab/id372076250?mt=8
- http://www.amazon.com/You-Need-Budget-YNAB-Personal/dp/B000QO76HU
Enough said, why don’t you guys just try this wonder for free 
I know, this is starting to sound like a paid ad but that’s how happy I am! 
I can’t stop spreading the good news! =) In fact, I’m glad that I am finally able to post this one because looking back, I really owe Jessy (founder of YNAB) big time! Read their story here.
If you have any question about this app, feel free to contact me via email. I’ll be a YNAB consultant for free!
Miss Universe 2011 Full Video Coverage
An early favorite among the 2011 Miss Universe contestants, Ms. Shamcey Supsup proved that there’s more to her than physical beauty – talent, brains, and character.
To watch the full coverage, click here:
http://www.pinoycinemaonline.com/2011/09/miss-universe-2011/
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Trailer
I know that this teaser has been circulating around for quite some time now, pero bakit ba, e excited ako eh 
Don’t Wish Your Life Away
I heard what you said last night…I feel that too, sometimes. But when those times come, I think of how wonderful “now” is with you and I forget the reason why I wanted to go back.
Thor
After watching Thor 3D with mom, dad, and BQ last Saturday, I am still undecided whether the movie was great or not, so I asked my mom instead. Here’s our convo:
Me: o ano mom maganda ba yung movie o maganda lang katawan ni Thor?
Mom: hmm maganda din katawan ni thor, gwapo pa!
There you go… the answer of a 59-year old woman hahaha! No offense mom, I love you and you know that =) Happy mother’s day! 
2011 Event Calendar for BQ
Still contemplating if we are going to watch Mr. Big this coming May 10…. esep esep… But what I’m sure of is, we’ll be watching The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on June! Yay! We’ll avail of the 10% discount from Citibank.
I’m also thinking of watching Ryan Cayabyab and Friends @ Newport Performing Arts Theater on June 28 and Peter Pan this coming October……
Hmmm meanwhile, here’s the details for The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber =)
Date of Performances:
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Look at Yourself Before You Criticize Others
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:1-4
Holy Week 2011
Immediate disclaimer before I begin - food pics to follow… if and when the brother in law decides to give me a copy.
Thursday – As always, we went to 14 churches to fulfill a family tradition, that is visita iglesia; one church along C5, near Eastwood made us carry a cross! Quite heavy but overall a pleasant experience because at least we got to at least try and carry a cross and walk under the heat of the sun.
Friday – Instead of fasting and prayer, BQ invited his mom and brother to go to Nuvali, and so we all did. Since there’s really nothing to do there, we went straight to Tagaytay and ate too much at Sonya’s Garden. For only Php 610 per head, we had unlimited salad (with dressing, etc.), unlimited salmon pasta, and unlimited dalandan juice!
–> Super sulit, fresh, delish, and filling! Did not like the ants I saw everywhere (yes, even on our tables) though…
Saturday – Another pig out session… went to C’ Italian Dining in Clark Pampanga to try their famous panizza (where Yellow Cab copied their Dear Darla).
To those who are not familiar, this resto is famous for their C’ SUPER CLASSIC FRESHLY BAKED PANIZZA (approx Php 600+ and good for 3 people), Chef Chris Locher’s masterpiece. Panizza is a rectangular thin crust pizza, served and eaten with arugula and alfalfa sprouts.
We also tried 2 of their risottos – Risotto Kristina – Php 600+ (salmon, prawns, asparagus, broccoli, and finished with tender mushrooms and white truffle oil) and Risotto Frutti di Mare – Php 700+ (salmon, marlin, prawns, mussels blended with tomato and saffron-flavored parmesan risotto).
Their SLOW ROASTED LAMB RIBS IN AROMATIC SPICE RUB (Php 890) was a pleasant surprise. Even though I’m not really into Lamb, theirs is actually delicious and tender.
Lastly, we ordered pasta but wasn’t able to taste it anymore, I was sooo full and not to mention, it was around 9 p.m. already when we ordered that.
Sunday – I just went to the salon to have my hair and nails done – at last! And then went to church service in the afternoon. One important lesson learned, everything means nothing without Him. We must not let ourselves be a prisoner of this world by following what it dictates; instead, let us live a meaningful life by doing what He wants us to .
Happy Easter everyone!